Image A
Visual Identification of Western Meadowlark
David L. Roemer
Answer to Photo Quiz published 15 February 2005
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
Photographed 14 February 2005
Warren County, Kentucky
On the afternoon of the above date as I was driving along highway 240 in Warren County, a meadowlark flushed from the side of the road which was recognized as being a Western by its extremely pale plumage. I was subsequently able to relocate the bird in a feedlot with livestock and confirm the ID visually as well as obtain a series of photographs through my scope. Although I watched the bird call a number of times, I was unable to hear it due to winds gusting to approximately 30 mph and it being downwind.
The accompanying images depict features used in identification as a Western Meadowlark. Image A was published as a photo quiz on the Kentucky Ornithological Society website.
Image A
The combination of lateral-crown stripes, barred tertials and rectrices, along with a hint of streaking on the flanks eliminate all species but the meadowlarks.
Features which eliminate Eastern are well mottled lateral-crown stripes with relatively low degree of contrast to head pattern, pale grayish-brown centers to feathers of upperparts lacking any rich brown or rusty tones, and very narrow barring on tertials and particularly rectrices. Lack of any yellow showing on sides of breast and whitish flanks also hints to Western as the yellow extends farther onto sides of Eastern. The tertials and rectrices of Eastern Meadowlarks in our area vary from dark-centered with wide wedge-shaped bars to clearly-barred with bars being narrow-medium width, and usually at least somewhat wider along the feather shaft or with a dark area along the shaft. Easterns don’t show the extremely narrow bars displayed by the quiz bird.
Other features typical of Western Meadowlark are the yellow of the throat
extending into the malar region and overall paler plumage. These
features can be affected by state of wear in plumage of both species. The
buffy feather edges in fresh plumage can make it difficult to ascertain
the extent of yellow in the malar, and both species become brighter and
more contrastingly marked with wear. Breeding plumage is acquired
by wear of the pale feather edges. The malar region of Eastern Meadowlark
can appear buffy in fresh plumage.
Shows the low contrasting head pattern, pale grayish-brown plumage with
very narrow barring on tertials, uppertail coverts, and tail feathers.
The malar region is partially obscured by mud.
Show the extent of yellow in the malar region and how the appearance
can vary with position and attitude of the bird.
Shows the whitish sides of upper breast and flanks with limited yellow
extension.
Shows degree of mottling/streaking in lateral-crown stripes. The
very narrow barring on the feathers of the upperparts is visible also.
Shows overall paleness of plumage.
Shows yellow and black of breast veiled by buffy feather edges.
The yellow of the breast will brighten and the black V will become more
distinct with feather wear.
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) photographed in Warren County on 17 December 2004 for comparison. Note darker/richer overall plumage, more contrasting head pattern, and yellow extending farther onto sides of upper breast and flanks. Flanks are buffy rather than whitish. Barring on tertials and wing coverts is somewhat wider with some dark showing along feather shaft. Yellow of throat does not extend well into malar region.